Automatic knot-tying device
US6648378B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 4, 2002 |
| Grant date | Nov 18, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 4, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65B27/10
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An automatic knot-tying device for tying a discrete knot about a workpiece, such as a bundle of wires, has been developed. The present invention works by pulling a filament, such as the FAA-approved lace, transversely around the workpiece. The preferred embodiment of the device comprises a hand-held housing and a knot-tying mechanism within that housing comprising a plurality of carriage rings, for wrapping the filament around the workpiece, at least one shuttle for moving the filament between the carriage rings and along the workpiece at the appropriate steps, and a plurality of hooks for pulling the filament away from the workpiece at the appropriate steps. The operation is finished by cinching, cutting, and reloading so that the resulting knot is discrete and secure. A method for automatically tying a knot around a workpiece uses the present invention to pull, instead of push, a filament around the workpiece.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.